Method for displaying accumulated interest

Abstract

A computer-implemented method for displaying the amount of interest that has accumulated on an account since a predetermined time in the past is provided. The method includes the steps of: selecting an account; calculating the amount of interest accumulated on said account since a predetermined time in the past; displaying said amount of interest. The method is preferably implemented in a computer program, and may be performed in conjunction with a web page on which the amount of interest is displayed. By implementing this method on their web pages, banks and other financial institutions can offer their customers a further service, which may thus afford a marketing advantage to the financial institution.

1 . A computer-implemented method for displaying the amount of interest that has accumulated on an account since a predetermined time in the past, the method including the steps of: selecting an account; calculating the amount of interest accumulated on said account since a predetermined time in the past; and displaying said amount of interest.  
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein said amount displayed is effectively constantly updated.  
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 2  wherein said amount displayed is updated at least once a second.  
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein said amount displayed is displayed on a web page.  
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein said amount displayed is displayed to a sufficient number of decimal positions that the displayed amount changes at least once every 10 seconds.  
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 5  wherein said amount displayed is displayed to a sufficient number of decimal positions that the displayed amount changes at least once every 5 seconds.  
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein said amount displayed is displayed to 5 decimal places.  
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1  further including the step of determining the number of decimal positions to which the calculated amount of interest is displayed.  
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 8  wherein the step of determining is carried out such that the amount displayed changes at least once every 10 seconds.  
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 8  wherein the step of determining uses one or more of the following factors: the currency in which the account is held; the balance of the account; the interest rate applying to the account.  
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the amount displayed is displayed in the form of a digital display.  
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the amount displayed is displayed in the form of a continuously moving rotary meter.  
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 1 , further including the step of generating a web page on which the amount of interest is displayed.  
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 13  wherein the web page also displays other details relating to the account.  
     
     
         15 . A computer program which, when executed by a computer, performs a method for displaying the amount of interest that has accumulated on an account since a predetermined time in the past, the method including the steps of: selecting an account; calculating the amount of interest accumulated on said account since a predetermined time in the past; displaying said amount of interest.  
     
     
         16 . A computer program product containing a computer program which, when executed by a computer, performs a method for displaying the amount of interest that has accumulated on an account since a predetermined time in the past, the method including the steps of: selecting an account; calculating the amount of interest accumulated on said account since a predetermined time in the past; and displaying said amount of interest.  
     
     
         17 . A web page generated by performing a computer-implemented method according to  claim 13 .  
     
     
         18 . A web page which, when requested by a client computer system from a server computer system, causes a computer program according to  claim 15  to be transferred from the server computer system to the client computer system and to be executed on the client computer system.  
     
     
         19 . The web page according to  claim 18  which, when requested, further causes data relating to the account to be transferred to the client computer.  
     
     
         20 . A computer system having a processor and a display, the processor being operably configured to receive data relating to an account; to calculate the amount of interest accumulated on said account since a predetermined time in the past; and to display said amount of interest on said display.  
     
     
         21 . A computer system comprising a server computer connected to a network and a second computer also connected to said network, wherein said server computer stores a computer program which, when executed by said second computer, performs a method for displaying the amount of interest that has accumulated on an account since a predetermined time in the past, the method including the steps of: selecting an account; calculating the amount of interest accumulated on said account since a predetermined time in the past; displaying said amount of interest.